Local News – Thursday, May 30th, 2019
The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met Monday evening, May 20th. Minutes of the April regular meeting and closed meeting were reviewed and approved. Health Center Director Kendra Mobray reported that lab services were provided to 88 clients during the month of April. She reported that an application for Breastfeeding Peer Counselor funding has been submitted to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and that WIC numbers increased slightly last month. Mobray will be attending the Responding to the Rural Substance Use Crisis Event in June. One case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, one case of Strep Pneumoniae, one case of Campylobacteriosis and an ongoing case of M. Bovis were investigated in April, plus one animal bite. With warmer weather and increased outdoor activities the Health Center encourages residents to keep their pets current on rabies vaccines and to avoid contact with stray animals. Mobray noted that an MOU with the Department of Health and Senior Services to provide treatment to those who test positive for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia and their contacts. A closed session was conducted with no votes being taken. After the closed session Dent County Health Center expenses for March and April were approved. The next regular meeting of the Health Center Board of Trustees will be at 4:00 Monday, June 24th.
Preliminary Reports Indicate seven people died in traffic crashes over the 2019 Memorial Day weekend. During the counting period of 6 p.m., Friday, May 24, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 27, 2019, the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 298 traffic crashes with 106 injuries. Troopers made 95 driving while intoxicated arrests and 93 drug arrests. Last year, 16 people were killed in traffic crashes over the three-day weekend. In 2018, troopers investigated 294 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries. Troopers also arrested 121 people for driving while intoxicated and made 102 drug arrests over the 2018 Memorial Day weekend. There was one boating fatality over the 2019 Memorial Day weekend. Marine operations troopers investigated six boating crashes involving three injuries. There were no drownings during the 2019 Memorial Day holiday. Marine operations troopers arrested nine boaters for boating while intoxicated and made 27 drug arrests. The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri’s roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober. Don’t Violate The Trust.
The Salem Park and Recreation Department invites all children six and above to attend the Summer Kids Camp starting June 3rd and lasting through July 17th at the Salem City Park. There will be numerous activities for the children to enjoy from games to life skills and more. The camp starts at 8:00 in the morning and lasts until 12:00 noon, and lunch is included. The cost of the entire camp is $150, but parents have the option of paying $25 per week or a daily fee of $6.00. The food served at the Summer Kids Camp is provided by the Summer Food Service Program which is available to any child 18 years of age and below even if they do not attend the Summer Kids Camp. To sign up your child for the Summer Kids Camp or to find out more information about the camp or the Summer Food Service Program, contact Melissa Dubois at 729-8163. You can also e-mail her at melissa@salemcommunitycenter.org.
Take advantage of a limited opportunity to explore the far reaches of Cathedral Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park. Join an experienced naturalist from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, June 8th, as he guides you off trail on a wild adventure of the Cathedral Cave’s lower passage leading to its natural entrance situated just above the Meramec River. You will discover that there is more than meets the eye when you traverse nearly a mile of additional passage not normally seen on a regular lantern tour of the cave. This tour is limited to 15 participants. There is a fee for the tour, and payment can be made online at onondagafriends.org. All proceeds benefit the Onondaga Friends Association a non-profit organization enhancing interpretive services at the park. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, cool temperature (57 degrees F) and high humidity (nearing 100%). Participants are encouraged to dress in layers of warm clothing and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots. Additional tours will be held July 13th, August 10th and September 14th. To request a registration form, to receive more information about equipment requirements, or to get general information about the tours, contact the park at 573-522-3760. Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Route H. For more information about the park and other events, contact the park at 573-245-6576.